WILSON, N.C.–Freshman left fielder Chad Balderman ripped four singles and drove in three runs to lead No. 2 seed Limestone College to a 12-4 victory over No. 5 Erskine College on the first day of the 2011 Conference Carolinas Baseball Tournament hosted by Barton College and the Wilson Tobs at historic Fleming Stadium Thursday.

Sophomore starter Cameron Ward earned the victory for the Saints, who improved to 29-14 overall with the teams ninth win in its last 10 games. Limestone – ranked No.  30 by the ABC – will next play No. 4 Pfeiffer University on Friday at 7 p.m.

The Flying Fleet (26-17) will play an elimination game against the loser of No. 1 Mount Olive College versus No. 6 Barton College game on Friday at 11 a.m.

After three scoreless innings, Limestone took control with six runs in the fourth followed by a pair of runs in each of the next three frames.  The Saints tagged five singles in the fourth including two-run hits off the bats of Balderman and senior Josh Troutman.

The designated hosts ripped 16 total hits en route to its 12 runs. The Saints had 14 singles and a pair of doubles from junior Al Benson, who finished with three base knocks.

Ward improved to 8-1 on the season allowing four runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3. Ward recorded six strikeouts before being chased in the sixth when Erskine scored all four of its runs.

The Fleet belted six of its 11 hits in the sixth – all singles – before being held to just one more hit over the final three innings from a trio of Limestone relievers. Freshman Cameron Yost ripped a two-run single down the left field line to highlight Erskine’s scoring plays.

Senior Atlee Pearson (5-2) made only his third start of the season for the Fleet and was tagged for six runs (five earned) on eight hits and five walks over the first 3 1/3.

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